Earlier Monday, the Astros apologized to the Cardinals, saying they erred by showing a replay of Tavarez's antics on the stadium scoreboard.

"We made a mistake in judgment by playing that," Astros spokesman Jay Lucas said. "We meant no disrespect to the Cardinals' organization.''

Lucas said the entertainment operators at Minute Maid Park who showed the replay did not lose their jobs and were not disciplined.

WHEN TO USE CLEMENS?

RHP Roger Clemens is ready to pitch again in the NL Championship Series. Even so, Houston Manager Phil Garner is holding off on a decision when to use him.

Clemens won Game 3 Saturday, working seven effective innings. To bring him back for Game 6 Wednesday at St. Louis, however, would mean using him on three days' rest.

"I'm still working things out in my mind on what I want to do," Garner said.

ROOF REMAINS CLOSED

Despite plans to open the retractable roof at Minute Maid Park for Game 5, it was shut Monday night. It was 92 degrees in Houston during the day, and Astros owner Drayton McLane was worried about the heat and humidity affecting fans earlier in the series. The roof was closed for games the previous two days. A lot of players think the ball flies farther when the roof is open.

ROCKIES, REED PART

The Colorado Rockies declined their mutual 2005 option for RHP reliever Steve Reed. Reed, 38, was 3-8 with a 3.68 ERA in 65 appearances last season. He had signed one-year contracts with the Rockies the past two seasons.

A member of the original Rockies, Reed is the team's all-time leader in ERA (3.63) and appearances (461). On Sept. 23, he became only the 30th pitcher in major-league history to appear in at least 800 games.

BOONE FUNERAL SET

The funeral for Ray Boone, the patriarch of a three-generation baseball family, has been scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday at the First United Methodist Church in El Cajon, a San Diego suburb.

A family member had initially indicated that the funeral would be Friday.

Boone, 81, died on Sunday. He played for six major-league teams from 1948-60. He was the father of Bob Boone, a former big-league catcher and manager, and the grandfather of major-leaguers Bret Boone and Aaron Boone.